Daily Scripture, July 14, 2025
Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin
Scripture:
Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Matthew 10:34-11:1
Reflection:
The Enduring Shadow of Cruelty
When we look back at history, as far back as the oldest writings of the Old Testament, the patterns of human cruelty are stark and undeniable. From the ancient Egyptians’ subjugation of the Jewish people to the systematic genocide perpetrated by the Germans in the last century, the echoes of injustice reverberate. We see it in the brutal enslavement of Africans by 17th and 18th-century plantation owners in the Americas, and in the genocide inflicted upon indigenous peoples by settlers across the continent. Today is no exception. Tyrants and the people who support them unleash invasions and bombs, indiscriminately murdering innocent civilians.
A Call to Action: Choosing Compassion
Given this enduring legacy of cruelty, how can each of us contribute to nudging human behavior away from it, starting within our own families and communities? Is it truly so difficult to love both our neighbors and our enemies?
Every moment presents a choice. When we have a stressful thought or when someone causes us stress, what can we do to transform our thinking into positive thoughts and action? Or when we feel offended, don’t we have an opportunity to transform that offense into deeper understanding? We can choose compassion over contempt, and empathy over animosity. By making these conscious choices, we begin to dismantle the roots of cruelty, one interaction at a time.
.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting those who live in poverty; he is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6b-15Luke 6:1-5 Reflection: Have you not read what David didwhen he and those who were with him were hungry?How he went into the house of God, took » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5Luke 5:33-39 Reflection: The section of Luke’s Gospel we read today is preceded by Jesus’ telling his hometown crowd that the prophet Isaiah’s words are fulfilled in » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23Luke 5:1-11 Reflection: So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you…and you to Christ, and Christ to God. -1 Corinthians 3:21,23 When » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9Luke 4:38-44 Reflection: 21st Century Belief Today’s Gospel selection vividly recounts the scope of Jesus’ healing ministry: the cure of Simon’s mother-in-law with her severe fever, the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:10b-16Luke 4:31-37 Reflection: Nazareth was a small town, with some authors suggesting its population was between 200-400 people, representing about ten families in total. So, it is » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5Luke 4:16-30 Reflection: …so that your faith might rest not on human wisdombut on the power of God. -1 Corinthians 2:5 This is the time of year » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Reflection: Today’s readings highlight the challenge of observing the letter of the law versus understanding and following the spirit of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31Matthew 25:14-30 Reflection: Happy Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time! When I think about all the decades I’ve been fortunate enough to know my parents, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25Matthew 1:1-13 Reflection: Brothers and sisters, Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so » Continue Reading.
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9Mark 6:17-29 Reflection: In the first reading today Saint Paul greetings and gives thanks to the Church in » Continue Reading.